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G. ADANT. MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR.

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No. 444,107. Patented Jan. 6, 1891 HE EH w v Witnesses.-

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G. ADANT.

MANUFACTURE OF'SUGAR.

. (No Model.)

No. 444,107. Patented Jan. 6,1891.

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(-No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3. G. ADANT. MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR.

No. 444,107. Patented Jail. 6,1891;

JYMYIW' (No Model.) 4 SheetsSheet 4.

G. ADANT. MANUFAUTURE OF SUGAR;

Patented Jan 6, 1891.

5 UNITED v STATES PATENT FFICE.

GUSTAVE ADANT, OF BRUSSELS, BELGIUM.

MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 444,107, dated January6, 1891.

Application filed June 14, 1890. Serial No. 355,510. (No model.)Patented in Belgium October 7, 1887, No. 79,121 in France November 4,1887, No. 186,785; in Germany December 31, 1887, No. 44,660, and inEngland September 10,1888,N0. 13,084,

and May 4,1889,N0. 7,517.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAVE ADANT, a citizen of Belgium, residing atBrussels, in Belgium, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin the Manufacture of Sngar, (for which I have obtained Letters Patentin Belgium October 7, 1887, No. 79,121;

in France November 4, 1887, No. 186,785; in Germany December 31, 1887,No. 44,660, and in England September 10, 1888, No. 13,084, and May 4,1889, No. 7.517;) and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters ofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Referring to the drawings, Figure I is a verticalseciional elevationshowing the basket or form in the filling-drum. Fig. II is a side andend view of one of the forcing-bars. Fig. III is a top plan view of Fig.I, the funnels being shown in dotted lines. Fig. IV is a verticalsectional elevation of the basket or form proper, illustrating the meansof transporting the same when filled to the centrifugal. Fig.

V is a vertical section of the centrifugal proper, and Fig. VI is a topplan View thereof. Fig. VII is a vertical section of the centrifugalwith the basket or form secured thereto, and Fig. VIII is a top planView thereof. Fig. IX is a vertical sectional elevation, and Fig. X apart plan and part cross-section of Fig. IX, the cover being removed andillustrating a modified construction of the form or basket and also,means for clearing the blocks or cakes of sugar by steam. illustratingthe combination of devices or ap paratus that constitute my improvedsystem of purification.

This invention relates to the manufacture of sugar, and moreparticularly to the manufacture of tablets or slabs from which the cubeor cut sugar is afterward obtained; and it has for its object tosimplify this branch of sugar manufacture and effect a saving inmaterial as Well as in labor.

To these ends the invention consists in mak- Fig. XI is a view ing theform or basket detachable from the centrifugal and in constructing saidform or basket so that it may be readily dismantled for the purpose ofremoving the purified slabs or tablets of sugar for the final dryingpreparatory to the cutting up thereof into cubes. In the construction ofthe centrifugal drum, so that the form or basket may be readilyconnected therewith or disconnected therefrom, and in minor details ofconstructiomas will hereinafter be fully described, and in suchdescription, for the sake of uniformity, I will refer to the form as thebasket and to the combined basket and revoluble drum as the centrifugal,as the drum without the basket would not constitute the centrifugal.

In the manufacture of the class of sugar referred to the processes andapparatus now generally in use are those of Langen, Mathey andScheibler, Vivier, Tietz, and Selwig and 'Langen.

In the process of Langen perfectly white slabs or tablets are obtainedby carrying the basket from the centrifugal to aclearing or purifyingtable after having been subjected to the action of the centrifugal inorder to eliminate the green sirup, and this requires time and aconsiderable amount of labor on the one hand, and on the otherconsiderable losses in view of the fact that the slabs are oftrapezoidal form.

In the process of Mathey and Scheibler, after the impure or green siruphas been removed a partial vacuum is formed in the annular space of thecentrifugal that contains the forms, and when the vacuum has reachedabout seventy-five centimeters mercury the clearing or fine liquor orsirup is admitted; but inasmuch as the liquor has access to the formsfrom within and from without some of the green sirup is forced inwardlyby the fine liquor or sirup coming from without, so that the quantity offine liquor supplied from within is insufficient to purifythe sugar inthe forms, and it becomes again necessary to subject from forty to sixtyper centum of the slabs to centrifugal action, the sugar being usuallyyellow.

The process of Vivier does not differ very materially from theabove,while according to the mode of procedure of Tietz and Sclwig and Langenthe sugar is treated in the centrifugalfour times, involving aninordinate expenditure of time and labor.

My improvements are designed to obviate the disadvantages referred to,and to this end the system of purification comprises a fillingdrum D, inwhich the basket B is filled, a rev0- luble drum CD, to which the filledbasket 13 is adapted to be connected, the two constituting thecentrifugal, means for transporting the basket from the filling-drum tothe revoluble drum, a reservoir R for the fine liquor arranged above therevolnble drum and at such an elevation as to supply the liquor underpressure to the basket, means for transporting the basket from the drumto a table or bench T, where it may be dismantled for the purpose ofremoving the purified cakes or tablets of sugar to be afterwarddried,and means for connecting the reservoir containing the fine liquorwith the revoluble drum and supplying the same under pressure to thebasket, as shown in Fig. XI.

I will first describe the filling-drum D, reference being had to Fig. I.This drum is composed of two concentric drums (Z and d, forming betweenthem an annular space for the reception of the basket 13. The bottom ofthe drum between the inner and the outer walls has an annular recess (1the inner wall of which is inclined for the reception of aeorrespondingly-shaped base-rib on the bottom of the basket. The annularrecess (Z communicates with a passage (1 to which in practice isconnected a valved exhaust-pipe, which I have deemed unnecessary toshow, for exhausting the excess of masse-euite from the drum in fillingthe basket. In the inner wall of the drum are formed vertical recessesd", of which I have shown four, adapted to receive in their upper end afunnel F for the introduction of the fine liquor.

I will now describe the construction of the basket B, reference beingbad to Figs. I, III, IV, VII, and VIII.

The basket consists of a cylinder 13 of the usual foraminous material,of a top plate or ring I), to which the upper end of the cylinder I3 issecured, and of a bottom plate or ring Z) upon a rabbet or shoulder ofwhich the lower edge of said cylinder rests. The cylinder is dividedvertically by eight wedgeshaped partitions Zr and 12 thatproject-radially from the periphery toward the center of the basket tothe extent of the width of the plates or slabs of sugar to be obtained,and the inclination of the sides of these partitions is such as to forma rectangular space between them, whose outer face is a segment of thecircle described by the periphery of the basket, as more plainly shownin Figs. III and VIII, in which the partitions referred to are shown indotted lines. The space between the partitions is again subdividedhorizontally by means of sheet-metal shelves B, that fit sufficientlytight between the wedge-shaped partitions as to hold them in positionwithout further fastening, and the distance between said shelves willdepend upon the thickness of the slabs of sugar to be obtained or thediameter of the cubes of sugar to be cut from said slabs. The partitionsZ) are secured to the bottom ring Z1 in any suitable manner, and areconnected with the top ring 71 by means of hook or eye bolts I)", thatpass through the ring and screw into the partitions. The partitions I),on the contrary, simply seat on the bottom ring and have pins If, thatproject from their upper face into holes in the top ring, and saidpartitions Z) are also secured to the top ring by means of hook or eyebolts Z)" that likewise pass through the top ring and screw into theupper face of the said partitions I)". It is obvious that in thearrangement described if the hook or eye bolts 1)" are unscrewed fromthe partitions Z) and the top ring lifted the partitions b will belifted out of the basket, and as said partitions Z) Z)" are arranged inalternate order the cakes or tablets of sugar can be readily removed, ashereinafter referred to.

As shown, the lower edge of the foraminous cylinder B of the basket I isseated in an annular flange formed in the periphery of the bottom ring bof said basket, and at its upper edge the said foraminous cylinder isrigidly secured to an overhanging llange formed on the top ring I).Inasmuch as the partitions U are rigidly secured to the bottom ring I)of the basket itwill be readily seen that by means of the hook or eyebolts b the parts that constitute the basket proper may be firmly yetdetachably connected. On the other hand, by unscrewing the screw-boltsor eyes I) that connect the partitions b to the top ring I) and byconnecting said top ring through the medium of the hook or eye bolts 1)with a hoisting device, the top ring, the foraminous cylinder, and thepartitions b may be lifted off, thus leavingthe forms or shelves withthe slabs of sugar thereon exposed for read y removal to the drier,which in practice will be convenient to the table '1, upon which thebasket is placed for such removal.

As will be readily comprehended, the partitions 71 and b" not onlydetermine the width and length of the slabs of sugar, but also serve asstiffening-braces for the foraminous cylinder 1:1 so that as constructedthe basket is adapted to be spun without danger of separation ordisconnection of its parts.

On the under side of the bottom ring D of the basket is formed anannular rib or feet If, the inner face of which inclines inwardly, and,as hereinbefore stated, fits into a correspondingly-shaped recess in thebottom of the filling-druni D, and also upon a corresponding seat formedat the base of the centrifugal drum CD, to firmly seat the basket onsaid rum.

ICC

Above the tableT is a rail R',that extends over the centrifugal drum0D,and the fillingdrum D, Fig. XI, and Y, Figs. IV and XI, is a yokesuspended from a rackbar RB, that has motion in a holder H, provided atits upper end with carrier-wheels w, adapted to travel along the rail R,from which the holder is thus suspended. The rack-bar receives verticalmotion in a Well known manner through the medium of suitable gearingoperated by a ratchet-lever L.

For the purpose of filling an empty basket the parts of the basket areunited by lowering the top ring I), with the partitions Z) and theforaminous cylinder B onto the bottom ring b and securing the parts byscrewing said top ring Z) to the partitions D The ends of the yoke Y arenow passed into two diametricallyopposite hook or eye bolts 1') and thebasket hoisted and moved along the rail R over the filling-drum D, intothe outer annular space of which it is lowered, and the funnels Fintroduced into the recesses 61*, formed in the inner wall of thefilling-drum D.

In lowering the basket into drum D care should be had that the apices ofthe partitions b and b will lie centrally of the recesses (1 so that arecess will serve to fill the spaces in the two compartments on oppositesides of a partition, thereby dispensing with one-half of the recessesotherwise necessary to fill the spaces in all the compartments. Thewidth of the annular space in which the basket is received is but atrifle greater than that of the shelved or mold portion so as leave aslittle superfluous space as possible. It will also be seen by aninspection of Fig. I that the filling-drum has near its upper edge anannular flange (1 upon which seats the overhanging flange b on the topring of the has ket B, forming a practically tight joint at that point,and as the inner edge of the top ring I) of the basket, which isprovided with an upturned annular flange b and the shelves B, fitsalmost tight against the inner wall of the filling-drum there will bejust space enough left for the circulation of the masse cuite and theescape of air. After the spaces between the shelves are filled, exceptthe space between the upper shelf and the top ring b, the supply ofmasse-cuite is cut off, the funnels F are withdrawn, and theforcing-bars E, which are of such dimensions as to snugly fit into therecesses d of the filling-drum, are introduced into said recesses,thereby forcing what masse-cuite may be outside of the forms into theupper one, and at the same time expelling any air or air bubbles in thesaid masse-cuite, which is now allowed to rest a sufficient length oftime to solidify before mounting the basket on the centrifugal drum CD,which I will now describe, referring to Figs. III, V, VII, and VIII.

The centrifugal drum CD is a cylindrical bod'y'lprovided with an annularflange f, in which is secured a rail f for the support of the bottom ribb of the basket B, as shown in Figs. V and VII. This rail may, however,be dispensed with, if desired, as it is not absolutely neccessary,though I preferto use it as a bearing for the basket to prevent wear ofthe foot-flange of the drum.

In practice the bearing-rail f is constructed of rubber to better resistany tendency of the basket to revolve on the drum and to form a tightjoint between the two. From the rail upwardly the outer face of the drumis inclined, as shown at f Fig. V, said inclined portion serving as abearing for the correspondingly-inclined inner face of the bottom ringof the basket B. I

The drum CD is provided with an axial socket-bearing f for thedriving-shaft S,that may be driven from any suitable prime motor beltedto pulley P, and above said socket the drum is provided with hollowradial arms f that are open at the periphery and intercommunicate attheir points of intersection, at which point there is provided astuffingbox f in which. is loosely seated a pipe 19, screw-threaded atitsouter end and provided with a flange at its inner end, which pipe isadapted to be connected to a stop-cock 0, Figs.

VII and VIII, by means of a screw-coupling c, Fig. VII, said stop-cook 0being secured to a pipe P, that is connected to the reservoir R, thatcontains the fine liquor, as shown in Fig. XI. To the inner periphery ofthe drum, at its upper end, are pivoted coupling-bolts f adapted toenter holes in a locking-ring LR, in the under side of which is formedan annular groove that fits over the upper edge of the drum and over theupturned flange b on the basket B (see Fig. VII) to lock the basketfirmly to the drum through the medium of the bolts f and suitable nuts,as shown in Fig. VII.

In practice the centrifugal drum CD is inclosed in a suitable housing orcasing H, provided with a lid or coverh, Figs. V and VII, and below thedrum is arranged a drip-board h to catch the green sirup and the fineliquor eliminated from the slabs of sugar in the basket B by centrifugalaction. In practice I also interpose a measuring-vessel in thepipeconnection for conducting the fine liquor to the basket, whichmeasuring-vessel I have deemed unnecessary to show in the drawings, asthe use and construction thereof are well known.

The operation of clearing or purifying the slabs of sugar may be brieflydescribed as IIO follows: After the baskethas been secured to thecentrifugal drum CD, as described, the centrifugal is spun to remove thegreen sirup from the slabs, which is usually effected in about fifteenminutes, after which the stopcock 0 on pipe P is coupled to pipe 29,which may be done without stopping the rotation of the centrifugal, thepipe 19, as described,

being so connected with the stuffing-box as not to rotate therewith, itbeing sufficiently loose in the stuffing-box f for this purpose. Thefine liquor will thus be admitted to the radial arms f underconsiderable pressure, the reservoir for the liquor being in practicelocated about ten meters above the centrifugal. As shown in Fig. VII,the basket fits almost tight upon the drum CD, there being but a narrowannular space f between said drum and the inner end of the shelves, sothat but a comparatively small quantity of fine liquor can circulatetherein, but,

owing to its being supplied under considerable pressure, is equallydistributed throughout the annular space and forced through the slabs ofsugar on the shelves B, the passage through the sugar of the fine liquorbeing assisted and accelerated by the centrifugal action. As the lineliquor is supplied from within only, its passage through the sugar isvery rapid and carries any impurities or green sirup with it, thepassage of the liquor through the sugar taking place in a few minutes,usually about two or three minutes. The quantity of fine liquor suppliedto the centrifugal is measured in the measuringvessel referred to, andone-fourth of a liter per kilogram of sugar is usually required. As soonas the measuring-vessel is empty the stopcock C is closed anddisconnected from the centrifugal, which is kept in rotation for abouttwenty minutes more to re move all of the fine liquor, when its rotationis stopped, and the basket lifted elf and transported to the table 'I.To this end the nuts of the pivoted bolts f are unscrewed and thelocking-ring LR removed. The ends of the yoke Y are then inserted intotwo of the hook or eye bolts 1)". The basket is hoisted by means of therack-bar RB and gearing and moved along the rail R to the table T, ontowhich it is lowered. The basket may now be dismantled by simplyunscrewing the hook or eye bolts 1)" from the partitions b and the yokeY again hoisted, thereby lifting the foraminous cylinder, together withthe top ring Z) and partitions b oil the base or bottom ring 11 of thebasket, leaving the shelves with the slabs of purifiedsugarthereonexposed for ready removal to the drier.

\Vhen the purification or clearing is to be effected by steam, the spacebetween the basket 13 and the centrifugal drum CD is slightly increasedby making the body of the drum more or less conical, as shown in Fig.IX, the radial arms f being shortened and bent downward to discharge thesteam into the drum CD, from which it then rises over the top thereofinto the space f between the drum and basket and passes thence throughthe slabs of sugar. In this construction instead of a locking-rin g LR alocking-disk LD is used to completely close the top of the drum, whichis also provided in its bottom with a valved passage or pipe for drawinged the water of condensation. The conical form of the drum OD insures auniform steam-pressure upon its exterior, and consequently upon theslabs or tablets of sugar.

From an inspection of Fig. IXitwill be seen that the body of thecentrifugal drum CD is detachably connected with the base f and thisconstruction I prefer, for the reason that either a cylindrical or aconical drum-body may be applied to the base for purifying, either bymeans of fine liquor or by means of steam, or by both, if necessary. InFig. IX I have also shown a foraminous cylinder B as connected with thecentrifugal drum CD and the top plate or ring Z) of the basket I asprovided with apertures b, one for each vertical compartment, for thepurpose of filling the same, suitable funnels being inserted into thesaid apertures, which, when the basket is tilled, are closed by caps c,secured in position by means of bolts 0 and nuts 0 having eyes formedthereon. The radial hollow arms f are also shown in said Fig. IX asdetachably secured to the tubular bearing or socket f" for thedriving-shaft S, so that radial arms such as shown in Fig. V may besubstituted therefor whenever the purification is effected by means ofline liquor instead of steam.

Instead of arranging the shelves l3 horizontally, they may be arrangedvertically, the top ring I) and the bottom ring D of the basket B beingsuitably grooved for the reception of the vertical partitions B, asshown at 1) Fig. IX, and, as shown, the grooves do not extend to theinner periphery of the top and bottom rings, thus forming stop-shouldersto prevent the partitions being pushed in too far, each partition havinga head and foot extension I) b of the same length as and adapted to fitinto said grooves. Furthermore, each of the vertical partitions B isprovided about midway of its length with a crossbrace I), that serves tobrace the partitions transversely, and with an abutment 0r spacing blockor brace I), that holds the partitions against bending or warpin Havingthus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In the purification ofsugar, the hereindescribed basket for the centrifugal machine,comprising a top and bottom ring, a foraminous cylinder connected withsaid rings, a plurality of radial partitions alternately secured to thebottom and top rings, respectively. and extending from the cylindertoward the axis of the basket, and a locking device for detachablylooking to the top ring those vertical partitions which are secured tothe bottom ring, substantially as and forthe purposesspecified.

2. In the purification of sugar, the hereindescribed basket for thecentrifugal machine, comprising a top and bottom ring, a foraminouscylinder connected with said rings, a plurality of vertical partitionswedge-shaped in cross-section extending from the cylinder toward theaxis of the basket, the inclination of said partitions being such as toform rectangular spaces between them, the outer side of which issegmental, said rings being alternately secured to the top and bottomrings, and a locking device to lock to the top ring those partitionswhich are secured to the bottom ring, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

3. In the purification of sugar, the hereindescribed basket forcentrifugal machines, comprising a top and bottom ring, a foraminouscylinder connected with said rings, a plurality of vertical partitionssecured alternately to said top and bottom rings and extending from thecylinder toward the axis of the basket, a locking device for docking tothe top ring those partitions which are secured to the bottom ring, andremovable sheet-metal partitions for dividing the space between thevertical partitions, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In the purification of sugar, the hereindescribed basket for thecentrifugal machine, comprising a top and bottom ring, a foraminouscylinderconnected with said rings, a plurality of vertical partitionswedge-shaped in cross-section and extending radially from the cylindertoward the axis of the basket, said partitions being alternatelysecuredto said top and bottom rings, the inclination of the partitions beingsuch as to form substantially rectangular spaces between them, the outerside of which is segmental, and removable sheet-metal partitions fordividing the said spaces, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

5. In the purification of sugar, the hereindescribed basket for thecentrifugal machine, comprising a top and bottom ring, a foraminouscylinder seated loosely on the bottom ring and secured rigidly to thetop ring and vertical partitions secured alternately to said top andbottom rings, and a locking device for detachably securing to the topring those partitions which are secured to the bottom ring,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. In the purification of sugar, the hereindescribed basket for thecentrifugal machine, comprising a top and bottom ring, a forami nouscylinder seated loosely on the bottom ring and connected rigidly to thetop ring, vertical partitions Wedge-shaped in cross-sec tion extendingradially from the cylinder toward the axis of the basket, theinclination of the sides of the partitions being such as to formsubstantially rectangular spaces between them, having their outer sidesegmental, and a locking device for detachably looking to the top ringthose partitions which are secured to the bottom ring, substantially asand for the purpose specified.

7. In the purification of sugar, the hereindescribed basket for thecentrifugal machine, comprising a top and bottom ring, a foraminouscylinder seated loosely on the bottom ring and secured rigidly to thetop ring, vertical partitions b rigidly secured to the bottom ring, likepartitions Z2, detachably connected to the top ring, and hook or eyebolts b for connecting the partitions b and b to said top ring,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

S. In the purification of sugar, the combination, with a basketconsisting, essentially, of a cylinder whose outer periphery is composedof a foraminous material, said cylinder being divided into chambers openat their inher ends for containing the forms, and pro vided with anannular foot-flange, the inner face of which is inclined, in combinationwith a filling-drum comprising two concentric cylinders forming anannular chamber for the reception of the cylindrical basket, saidchamber being provided in its bottom with an annular recess for thereception of the footfiange of the basket and with a duct or passageleading from said recess to the exterior of the drum, the inner cylinderof which is provided with rectangular recesses (1, substantially as andfor the purpose specified.

9. In the purification of sugar, the combination, with the describedcylindrical basket B, having its chambers containing the forms open attheir inner end, of a filling-drum composed of two concentric cylinders,the inner cylinder having vertical recesses d" formed in its walls, saidrecesses straddling the partitions of the basket-chambers, and theforeing-bars E, constructed to fit into said recesses, substantially asand for the purpose specified.

10. In the purification of sugar, the combination, with the cylindridalbasket 13, containing the forms and having an annular base or footflange b in its bottom ring b the inner face of which flange isinclined, of the centrifugal drum provided with a base-flange having theinclined seatf and the annular gasket f, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

11. In the purification of sugar, the combination, with the cylindricalbasket B, containing the forms, the top ring b of said basket beingprovided with a vertical flange b at its inner periphery, a revolubledrum provided with a suitable seat for the basket and with acorresponding vertical flange, and locking-bolts f pivoted at the upperedge of the drum, of alocking plate or ring provided with an annulargroove adapted to fit over the flanges of the drum and basket, and withholes for the passage of the pivoted bolts, and nuts for locking thering to the bolts, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

12. The basket B, comprising top and bottom rings, a foraminous cylinderconnected therewith, radial vertical partitions 12 b secured to said topand bottom rings and adapted to divide the same into substantiallyrectangular spaces, radial grooves formed in the proximate faces of saidrings between the partitions b b, and sheet-metal'partitions B ICS:idnpicd to [it into said grooves io (lividc the substnnti-Liiiy as andfor the purpose spcci- [0 space between the partitions L b snhsmnficd.

tinllyas and for the purpose specified. 1 In testimony \vheireoflt'lffiX inysignatui'e in 123. The drum CD, comprising a basef 1 presenceof two Witnesses.

having an Yiai tubular bearing, rzu liaii t u- GUSTAVE ADANT.

bnlar arms f clctachably connected with SELid V bearing, a substantiallycylindrical body dei Witnesses:

tnclmbly connected with the base, and bolts HENRY RACLOT,

hinged to said body at or near its uppci'cdgc, EDO'UARD LABASQUE.

